As part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint, Northwest Community College (NWCC) will receive funding for an additional 100 training spaces to increase access and reduce waitlists for trades critical to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other industries.

The allocation is part of the $6.8 million announced earlier today to create 1,424 foundation and apprenticeship seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions throughout British Columbia.

NWCC will receive a total of $485,000 including $387,000 for the additional seats and $98,000 in operating and equipment funding to support delivery of training programs. Seats will be available to students as early as September 2014 and include:

• 50 electrical foundation seats.
• 32 electrician apprenticeship seats.
• 18 heavy duty equipment mechanic foundation seats.

Government announced an initial $6.6 million for critical trades seats as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. Funding allocations are based on the most-recent labour market data, on consultations with institutions, the Industry Training Authority, and the Province’s Labour Market Priorities Board, and current waitlists, institutions’ capacity to add training seats.

A million job openings are expected in B.C. by 2022, with about 43% requiring college education or apprenticeship training. B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint lays out a comprehensive action plan to re-engineer education and training so British Columbia students and workers have the skills to be first-in-line for jobs in a growing economy. More information on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint is available at: www.workbc.ca/skills

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk -

“We promised to increase access to critical trades training seats for in-demand jobs and we are delivering on our commitment to ensure we have a skilled workforce. Throughout British Columbia, we are re-engineering education and training to turn learners into earners.”

Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training Minister and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond -

“We are ensuring that training decisions are driven by industry-validated data and up-to-date sector information so that British Columbians have the right training to achieve long-term, well-paying jobs in liquefied natural gas and other industries. Our commitment in the Skills for Jobs Blueprint is to increase access and reduce waitlists for trades training that supports the needs of B.C.’s industry, employers, workers and families.”

Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad -

“These additional 100 trades training spaces at Northwest Community College will help strengthen our families and communities. A career in the trades provides the opportunity for long-term, high-income employment.”

Northwest Community College interim president Denis Caron -

“This funding helps Northwest Community College target our waitlists and increased demand for courses such as electrical foundation/apprenticeship and heavy duty mechanic foundation. This timely announcement will help us provide programs in our region that meet the needs of our learners and industry.”

Industry Training Authority interim chief operating officer Jeff Nugent -

“We are focused on meeting the training needs for B.C.’s high demand trades, and ITA is committed to working with our partners in industry, training, and education to respond quickly to ensure we have the right skills in place at the right time to create a highly skilled workforce across the province.”

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Ministry of Advanced Education
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 952-6400

Sarah Zimmerman
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Northwest Community College
250 638-5494
szimmerman@nwcc.bc.ca